A
4
41
B
THKK 18711
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Also Ar HICK 182/1
Mr Williamson 15.12
Mr Morrice
Mr Clit
J15.12
Au
(16/12
MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
MTR Island Line
COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
Reference..
AKK 173/2
PE LIVED IN REGISTRY RO. 51 17 DEC 1980
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
No
PA
MS
17.
REGISTRY Action Taken
An 12 (16 Decente)
1. A decision is expected to be taken by ExCo this month although we do not have any definite information on this from Hong Kong. The Transport Advisory Committee has come out strongly in favour of an Island extension, as opposed to a surface light railway. This will carry considerable weight with ExCo, but other influential factors will be:
(a) whether an Island extension would adversely affect bus services;
(b) whether the construction of an extension would engage too much
of Hong Kong's civil engineering resources (this is linked to the decision on constructing a replacement airport).
2.
I attach a copy of an internal DOT minute which gives some more details.
Replacement Airport at Chek Lap Kok
3. The present position is that three consultancy firms have been shortlisted for the Master Planning Study. They are:
(a) The BAI led British group (details in Creda 231 attached)
(b) Parsons Overseas (American, with some CAA involvement)
(c) Tippets Abbett McCarthy Stratton (American)
A final decision is expected in January so that the consultants can start work in March. The Master Planning Study should then be ready
by late 1982.
CODE 18-77
M.A.Searle
M A Searle
15 December 1980
Hong Kong and General Department
COVERING RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE